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“You need not apologize for her enthusiasm,” Roland told him, though he was looking at Harriett. “We were all young, once upon a time.” His inclusion of her in the statement was quite deliberate. And effective, as evidenced by the black look she shot him. That’s more like it!
“Maturity will sober her soon enough,” said Dunhaven with an indulgent smile.
“Should it find her,” quipped Harriett, glaring daggers. “Some manage to escape it their whole lives.”
The rapid-paced clack of heels on wood alerted them to Catherine’s return, and a moment later she appeared in the doorway, her cheeks bright and her breath fast. “I have them, Your Grace,” she said, dumping an armful of papers on the table in front of him.
Roland spent the next half hour poring over the drawings with her, purposely ignoring Harriett and hoping it would drive her mad. Though he forced his eyes to the task before him—Catherine had been told the truth, for not a one of these had any potential to become a reality—every other sense was trained on Harriett. He could smell her faint lavender scent in the air. He could feel her gaze burning into him.
It wasn’t long before a footman came to inform them dinner was served. Catherine rose first, but Roland pretended a lingering interest in one of her sketches long enough for her father to claim her. Rising, he at last looked to Harriett and saw that her eyes were like twin jades. Smiling, he offered his arm.
She glanced at it as though it bore some vile pestilence before grudgingly taking it.
“You’ve been very quiet tonight, Lady Harriett,” he murmured as they left the room. “I’m unused to such reticence from you.”
“What are you doing here?” she breathed back. “I mean what are you really doing here?”
Straight to the point. That was Harriett all over. “Being sociable,” he answered. “Thought I’d try it on and see how it fit. I’m finding it surprisingly enjoyable.” Deliberately, he let his gaze drift ahead to where her sister now walked with Dunhaven. Catherine glanced back at them over her shoulder and gave him a glittering smile.
“I hope you’re not
intending to ask after my sister,” said Harriett, her fingers on his arm tightening. “If you think for one moment I won’t break my heretofore polite silence about you and tell her just what sort of man you really are, you are mistaken. I’d sooner let her wed a snake than you.”
“Ah, so that’s why you think I’m here,” he whispered, smiling. He paused and looked her up and down, taking his time. “Well, at least you wear your color out in the open. Green suits you, by the bye.”
Her cheeks pinked. “My motives are purely protective. I’m sure you must know by now that I have no interest in a relationship with—”
“Is all well?” called Dunhaven from down the hall, his expression concerned.
“Yes, of course, Papa,” she called, forcing a bright smile. “We are just coming along.”
Roland gestured to Harriett. “I was only taking a moment to admire your daughter’s elegance.”
The other man’s brows shot up. “Well, by all means, feel free. I should like to see her dress so more frequently.”
“As would I,” he said low, just for her benefit. A small, strangled noise escaped from between his companion’s clenched teeth as they resumed progress, and he knew she would like nothing better than to wring his neck.
~ * ~
He couldn’t possibly have meant it! Even so, his compliment sent a flush of heat to Harriett’s midsection. “Such clothes are ill-suited to my duties at the Hospital.”
“Then I suppose I shall have to see you more often in other settings, shan’t I?”
Her heart lurched. “Don’t you dare!” she hissed, stopping him again. “He has no idea how things really are between us, and I would rather it stay that way.”
“That shall be entirely up to you.”
“If you mean to force me out of—”
“I have no such nefarious intentions, I assure you.” But the gleam in his eyes belied his protestation.
“I know what you’re on about,” she countered. “It won’t work. I’ll tell Papa—”
“Do so, and he’ll refuse to allow you within a hundred paces of that Hospital as long as I am present. Which will be daily from now on.”
Fingers of ice clutched her spine. “You intend to make it so unpleasant for me to be there that I am driven away. And if that doesn’t work, then you plan to give the false impression of interest in me until I am forced to tell my father the truth so that he will forbid my being anywhere near you.”
“I would never be so cruel as to force you out, Harriett. I know what the place means to you. But you and I are going to have to reach some sort of an agreement. If you wish to remain at the Hospital in your current capacity, it will have to be on my terms.”
